Sykes to meet Campbell in Commonwealth showdown

Andrew Hunt

Gary Sykes’ mouthwatering clash against former Olympic champion Luke Campbell will be for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title.

Ghanian Richard Commey has vacated the Commonwealth crown and promoters Matchroom Sport were quick to elevate the Sykes-Campbell showdown for the title.

The all-Yorkshire clash will also provide chief support to Kell Brook’s IBF world welterweight title fight against Kevin Bizier at the Sheffield Arena on March 26.

Sykes said: “After a year in the shadows it is great to be back in the limelight and these are the type of fights why I came into boxing.”

Sykes is hard in camp but while he was pounding Dewsbury’s snow covered streets last week, Campbell has enjoyed a luxury camp in Miami as he bids to bounce back from a shock defeat to Yvan Mendy in December.

Sykes added: “We always knew that this is a hard fight and we have been focused in camp and I couldn’t be more motivated.

“There is no pressure on me and I thrive on the fact that I am the underdog and I think they see me as a gimme fight.

“I am already close to the weight with two and a half weeks to go until the fight and I’ll be more comfortable at lightweight.”

Sykes has been putting the hard yards in sparring with tricky southpaw Maxi Hughes in preparation for Campbell and has been training alongside Leeds featherweight Josh Warrington.

Sykes has been overwhelmed by the response of his fans for tickets and looks set to take a large following to Sheffield.

He added: “My first lot of tickets have almost gone and it looks like I will need to ask for some more.

“Since it was announced the fight was for the Commonwealth title, more people have been getting in touch saying they want tickets saving.”

Sykes said: “I will be taking a great support and the usual last minute people, who leave it until fight week to get their tickets, could be left disappointed.”